Amsoil-NAPA-CRAZY!

[Dieselnut59]

For those of you using extended oil drain intervals on synthetics, or never changing the oil, what is your thinking on soot?



I've read several places that the micron size of soot is far less than the 2 micron or so filtering that bypass systems are good for... hence the reason for the blackness of the oil even with great filtration. I've also read that this soot is abrasive to the engine and will cause accelerated wear. I see in some signatures above that truck(s) with extended intervals are running a Smarty... so I assume soot loading of the oil is something to be considered.



Thoughts?



--Eric

Or fuel dilution or condensation (water)? Filters cannot get that out. No thanks, I will use Rotella T 15W40 as I have always done and change it every 5000 miles, like I have always done.

 

[AH64ID]

Amsoil has raised their prices recently. I am not 100% sure which oil you are refering to as the HDD oil is 5w-30, not 15w-40.

But retail prices are on their webiste.

HDD is $41/gal
AME (15w-40) is $32. 40/gal.

Preferred pricing is

HDD is $31. 60/gal
AME is $24. 90/gal

I have always found that with preferred pricing and shipping the oil is a bit cheaper than local retail off the shelf, about $20 on my 15K mile oil change. So one purchase a year means the cost is a wash, but with 3 rigs in my garage, and 4 in my dads the savings really add up.

 

[Newf Limo]

But doesn't preffered pricing require a $20 membership fee? Is that an annual fee or a one time fee? If you get it via the website, do you have to pay shipping?

 

[AH64ID]

Its an annual fee, or a 6 month fee for $10.

 

[Newf Limo]

There's the rub. 3 gallons at $31. 60 per gallon + $20 for the annual priveledge and I am at $114. 80 just for oil for one oil change as put on about 12K miles per year. That does not include the filter either. With the Cummins Valvoline, I can do 3 oil changes!



I'd rather do one change, but for the money and considering how quick, clean and simple it is to change oil on this truck, and the fact that money is tough right now, I will go with the savings. The extended oil change was a monetary issue for me anyways, not a lack of willingness to change my oil. Now, the wife's Dakota... that's another issue all together! The oil by the way is 15 w 40 Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine. I think it used to arrive with the invoice listing it as HDD. Sorry for any confusion. That is also what i was looking at at the NAPA store. Maybe they screwed up, but I'm done with their over priced stuff either way.



If the oil from Valoline is just as good or even better, then I have no issues with changing. Like I said, I have been a loyal Amsoil consumer for 10 years. They just priced me out of the market.

 

[Hammer]

i actually tire of all the synthetic naysayers and their constant whining about cost.

Here is the deal and it has been said in other threads about this also...

Choose the oil that suits YOUR needs,buy it,use it and stand by its results,no matter if they are good or bad.

Its that simple.

 

[Newf Limo]

I have to admit, that is one of the most rediculous things I have ever heard (read). ... . no matter if they are good or bad?



Um... ok. LOL

 

[Gonzo 1066]

My theory is, The same Cummins engine is used in CaseIH Maxxum farm tractors- CaseIH warranty's the Cummins engine in those tractors for GET THIS 10,000 hours (if you use CaseIH engine oil at $12. 00 a gallon &Fleetgard filters) . If you multiply 10,000 hours X even 40MPH you come up with 400,000 miles!! If you highway drive and average 60MPH this is 600,000 miles. . This is for a COMPLETE engine warranty pan to turbo. Do any of us think that this large corporation is being foolish or overestimating the faith they have in the Cummins engine or the Oil they brand and sell?? Remember this is a FARM tractor that runs full throttle all day long in the dirt and dust with a reccomended oil change at 300 hours OR at 17,000 miles if you average 50mph.

How many of us are ever going to see 500,000 miles on our trucks? Be real, most of us trade trucks long before 200,000 miles. So should we spend almost 4X the money for a supposedly superior oil to make our engine last longer for the next owner????. This my friends is INSANITY!!. I will continue to run a regular diesel rated engine oil, change it at normal intervals and smile all the way to the bank. IMHO

 

[GAmes]

If you recall the TDR articles on oil, there was a statement to the affect that all of them were acceptable for use. Prior to that I used Rotella because I could find it anywhere. Ever since I read it I have used whatever is the lowest cost (dino oil). If I find a deal I buy in bulk. A couple years ago Flying J was selling Valvoline Premium Blue at 2 for 1 price which came out to be $7 a gallon. I bought and used 10 cases. Awhile ago Wal-Mart was clearing their shelves of Mobil Delvac. Don't ask me why, the new bottles look just the same. It was $6 a gallon. I went to the three stores in a 10 mile radius and ended up with 32 gallons. I still have 4 or 5 gallons. While on the road I buy what ever is the least cost, usually the Wal-Mart stuff (can't remember the name) but sometimes they have something on sale. I change my oil every 5 to 6k, sometimes that is once a week. If I have over 4k and I have a long trip coming up I change it early. Sometimes I exceed 6k, but not often. Point is, brand loyalty is over rated. I believe 12 valve soot makes using synthetics in them a waste of money.

 

[bheiting]

If you recall the TDR articles on oil, there was a statement to the affect that all of them were acceptable for use. Prior to that I used Rotella because I could find it anywhere. Ever since I read it I have used whatever is the lowest cost (dino oil). If I find a deal I buy in bulk. A couple years ago Flying J was selling Valvoline Premium Blue at 2 for 1 price which came out to be $7 a gallon. I bought and used 10 cases. Awhile ago Wal-Mart was clearing their shelves of Mobil Delvac. Don't ask me why, the new bottles look just the same. It was $6 a gallon. I went to the three stores in a 10 mile radius and ended up with 32 gallons. I still have 4 or 5 gallons. While on the road I buy what ever is the least cost, usually the Wal-Mart stuff (can't remember the name) but sometimes they have something on sale. I change my oil every 5 to 6k, sometimes that is once a week. If I have over 4k and I have a long trip coming up I change it early. Sometimes I exceed 6k, but not often. Point is, brand loyalty is over rated. I believe 12 valve soot makes using synthetics in them a waste of money.

Seems to me WalMart oil tested "Acceptable" just like Amsoil in the TDR articles. You make a good point. You could probably extend your drain intervals to double, doing a lot of highway driving. Have you ever tested your drain oil?

 

[GAmes]

Never tested it, it costs nearly as much as an oil change. Since I spent 27 years in helicopter maintenance, I know that an oil sample by itself doesn't mean much. A component needs two or three to set a baseline, then after that you can look for anomolies. 65 to 70% of my miles are towing, so I'm at nearly double the recommended drain interval anyway.

 

[gofastman1]

My theory is, The same Cummins engine is used in CaseIH Maxxum farm tractors- CaseIH warranty's the Cummins engine in those tractors for GET THIS 10,000 hours (if you use CaseIH engine oil at $12. 00 a gallon &Fleetgard filters) . If you multiply 10,000 hours X even 40MPH you come up with 400,000 miles!! If you highway drive and average 60MPH this is 600,000 miles. . This is for a COMPLETE engine warranty pan to turbo. Do any of us think that this large corporation is being foolish or overestimating the faith they have in the Cummins engine or the Oil they brand and sell?? Remember this is a FARM tractor that runs full throttle all day long in the dirt and dust with a reccomended oil change at 300 hours OR at 17,000 miles if you average 50mph.

How many of us are ever going to see 500,000 miles on our trucks? Be real, most of us trade trucks long before 200,000 miles. So should we spend almost 4X the money for a supposedly superior oil to make our engine last longer for the next owner????. This my friends is INSANITY!!. I will continue to run a regular diesel rated engine oil, change it at normal intervals and smile all the way to the bank. IMHO

I beg to differ, I cant afford to buy a truck every 4 years!

 

[jacknife]

Get Cummins Blue by Valvoline formulated especially for Cummins and save your money.

 

[promisedland]

View attachment 94252

I beg to differ, I cant afford to buy a truck every 4 years!

Way to go!! Thats a lot of miles!!